# List of NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards

Several organizations give out NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. The Associated Press (AP) has been giving the award since 1972; Pro Football Writers of America/Pro Football Weekly since 1970; and Sporting News has announced winners since 2008. The Newspaper Enterprise Association was the originator of the award in 1966. However, it became defunct after 1997. Also going defunct was the United Press International (UPI) AFC–NFC Defensive Player of the Year Awards that began in 1975.

## Associated Press

The AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the league's most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971.
| Year | Player name | NFL team | Position |
| 1971 | Alan Page | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive tackle |
| 1972 | Joe Greene | Pittsburgh Steelers | Defensive tackle |
| 1973 | Dick Anderson | Miami Dolphins | Safety |
| 1974 | Joe Greene (2) | Pittsburgh Steelers | Defensive tackle |
| 1975 | Mel Blount | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cornerback |
| 1976 | Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker |
| 1977 | Harvey Martin | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive end |
| 1978 | Randy Gradishar | Denver Broncos | Linebacker |
| 1979 | Lee Roy Selmon | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive end |
| 1980 | Lester Hayes | Oakland Raiders | Cornerback |
| 1981 | Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1982 | Lawrence Taylor (2) | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1983 | Doug Betters | Miami Dolphins | Defensive end |
| 1984 | Kenny Easley | Seattle Seahawks | Safety |
| 1985 | Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor (3) | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1987 | Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive end |
| 1988 | Mike Singletary (2) | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1989 | Keith Millard | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive tackle |
| 1990 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end |
| 1991 | Pat Swilling | New Orleans Saints | Linebacker |
| 1992 | Cortez Kennedy | Seattle Seahawks | Defensive tackle |
| 1993 | Rod Woodson | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cornerback |
| 1994 | Deion Sanders | San Francisco 49ers | Cornerback |
| 1995 | Bryce Paup | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker |
| 1996 | Bruce Smith (2) | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end |
| 1997 | Dana Stubblefield | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive tackle |
| 1998 | Reggie White (2) | Green Bay Packers | Defensive end |
| 1999 | Warren Sapp | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive tackle |
| 2000 | Ray Lewis | Baltimore Ravens | Linebacker |
| 2001 | Michael Strahan | New York Giants | Defensive end |
| 2002 | Derrick Brooks | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Linebacker |
| 2003 | Ray Lewis (2) | Baltimore Ravens | Linebacker |
| 2004 | Ed Reed | Baltimore Ravens | Safety |
| 2005 | Brian Urlacher | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 2006 | Jason Taylor | Miami Dolphins | Defensive end |
| 2007 | Bob Sanders | Indianapolis Colts | Safety |
| 2008 | James Harrison | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker |
| 2009 | Charles Woodson | Green Bay Packers | Cornerback |
| 2010 | Troy Polamalu | Pittsburgh Steelers | Safety |
| 2011 | Terrell Suggs | Baltimore Ravens | Linebacker |
| 2012 | J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Defensive end |
| 2013 | Luke Kuechly | Carolina Panthers | Linebacker |
| 2014 | J. J. Watt (2) | Houston Texans | Defensive end |
| 2015 | J. J. Watt (3) | Houston Texans | Defensive end |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | Oakland Raiders | Defensive end |
| 2017 | Aaron Donald | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive tackle |
| 2018 | Aaron Donald (2) | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive tackle |
| 2019 | Stephon Gilmore | New England Patriots | Cornerback |
| 2020 | Aaron Donald (3) | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive tackle |
| 2021 | T. J. Watt | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker |
| 2022 | Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive end |
| 2023 | Myles Garrett | Cleveland Browns | Defensive end |
| 2024 | Patrick Surtain II | Denver Broncos | Cornerback |

## Pro Football Writers of America

The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is made up of sportswriters who cover the NFL and the 32 teams on a daily basis.
From 1969 to 1991, the Defensive Player of the Year was presented by Pro Football Weekly only. PFW and the Professional Football Writers of America combined their awards in 1992. Since 2013, the award was presented by PFWA alone.
| Season | Player | Team | Position | College |
| 1969 | Bobby Bell | Kansas City Chiefs | Outside linebacker | Minnesota |
| 1970 | Dick Butkus | Chicago Bears | Middle linebacker | Illinois |
| 1971 | Alan Page | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive tackle | Notre Dame |
| 1972 | Joe Greene | Pittsburgh Steelers | Defensive tackle | North Texas State |
| 1973 | Alan Page | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive tackle | Notre Dame |
| 1974 | Joe Greene | Pittsburgh Steelers | Defensive tackle | North Texas State |
| 1975 | Jack Ham | Pittsburgh Steelers | Outside linebacker | Penn State |
| 1976 | Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers | Middle linebacker | Kent State |
| 1977 | Harvey Martin | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive end | North Texas State |
| 1978 | Randy Gradishar | Denver Broncos | Inside linebacker | Ohio State |
| 1979 | Lee Roy Selmon | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive end | Oklahoma |
| 1980 | Lester Hayes | Oakland Raiders | Cornerback | Texas A&M |
| 1981 | Joe Klecko | New York Jets | Defensive end | Temple |
| 1982 | Dan Hampton | Chicago Bears | Defensive tackle | Arkansas |
| 1983 | Bob Baumhower | Miami Dolphins | Defensive tackle | Alabama |
| 1984 | Kenny Easley | Seattle Seahawks | Safety | UCLA |
| 1985 | no award | no award | no award | no award |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Outside linebacker | North Carolina |
| 1987 | Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive end | Tennessee |
| 1988 | Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Middle linebacker | Baylor |
| 1989 | Keith Millard | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive tackle | Washington State |
| 1990 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end | Virginia Tech |
| 1991 | Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive end | Tennessee |
| 1992 | Cortez Kennedy | Seattle Seahawks | Defensive tackle | Miami (FL) |
| 1993 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end | Virginia Tech |
| 1994 | Deion Sanders | San Francisco 49ers | Cornerback | Florida State |
| 1995 | Bryce Paup | Buffalo Bills | Outside linebacker | Northern Iowa |
| 1996 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end | Virginia Tech |
| 1997 | Dana Stubblefield | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive tackle | Kansas |
| 1998 | Reggie White | Green Bay Packers | Defensive end | Tennessee |
| 1999 | Warren Sapp | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive tackle | Miami (FL) |
| 2000 | Ray Lewis | Baltimore Ravens | Middle linebacker | Miami (FL) |
| 2001 | Michael Strahan | New York Giants | Defensive end | Texas Southern |
| 2002 | Derrick Brooks | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Outside linebacker | Florida St |
| 2003 | Ray Lewis | Baltimore Ravens | Middle linebacker | Miami |
| 2004 | Ed Reed | Baltimore Ravens | Safety | Miami (FL) |
| 2005 | Brian Urlacher | Chicago Bears | Middle linebacker | New Mexico |
| 2006 | Jason Taylor | Miami Dolphins | Defensive end | Akron |
| 2007 | Bob Sanders | Indianapolis Colts | Safety | Iowa |
| 2008 | James Harrison | Pittsburgh Steelers | Outside linebacker | Kent State |
| 2009 | Charles Woodson | Green Bay Packers | Cornerback | Michigan |
| 2010 | Clay Matthews III | Green Bay Packers | Outside linebacker | USC |
| 2011 | Terrell Suggs | Baltimore Ravens | Outside linebacker | Arizona State |
| 2012 | J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Defensive end | Wisconsin |
| 2013 | Robert Quinn | St. Louis Rams | Defensive end | North Carolina |
| 2014 | J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Defensive end | Wisconsin |
| 2015 | J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Defensive end | Wisconsin |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | Oakland Raiders | Defensive end | Buffalo |
| 2017 | Calais Campbell | Jacksonville Jaguars | Defensive end | Miami (FL) |
| 2018 | Aaron Donald | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive tackle | Pittsburgh |
| 2019 | Stephon Gilmore | New England Patriots | Cornerback | South Carolina |
| 2020 | Aaron Donald | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive tackle | Pittsburgh |
| 2021 | T. J. Watt | Pittsburgh Steelers | Outside linebacker | Wisconsin |
| 2022 | Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive end | Ohio State |
| 2023 | Myles Garrett | Cleveland Browns | Defensive end | Texas A&M |
| 2024 | Patrick Surtain II | Denver Broncos | Cornerback | Alabama |

## Newspaper Enterprise Association

Beginning in 1966, the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) annually awarded the George S. Halas Trophy to the NFL's outstanding defensive player. The winner was released via the NEA news service and also appeared in the World Almanac, which was an NEA publication. The award ran through 1996. It was considered one of the major awards and as included in the NFL Record and Fact Book and its winners still appear in the NFL's Official Encyclopedia, Total Football II.
Winners are awarded George S. Halas Trophy
1966— Larry Wilson, S, St. Louis Cardinals 1967— Deacon Jones, DE, Los Angeles Rams 1968— Deacon Jones, DE, Los Angeles Rams 1969— Dick Butkus, MLB, Chicago Bears 1970— Dick Butkus, MLB, Chicago Bears 1971— Carl Eller, DE, Minnesota Vikings 1972— Joe Greene, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers 1973— Alan Page, DT, Minnesota Vikings 1974— Joe Greene, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers 1975— Curley Culp, DT, Houston Oilers 1976— Jerry Sherk, DT, Cleveland Browns 1977— Harvey Martin, DE, Dallas Cowboys 1978— Randy Gradishar, ILB, Denver Broncos 1979— Lee Roy Selmon, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1980— Lester Hayes, CB, Oakland Raiders 1981— Joe Klecko, DE, New York Jets 1982— Mark Gastineau, DE, New York Jets 1983— Jack Lambert, MLB, Pittsburgh Steelers 1984— Mike Haynes, CB, Los Angeles Raiders 1985— Howie Long, DE, Los Angeles Raiders/ Andre Tippett, OLB, New England Patriots (tie) 1986— Lawrence Taylor, OLB, New York Giants 1987— Reggie White, DE, Philadelphia Eagles 1988— Mike Singletary, MLB, Chicago Bears 1989— Tim Harris, OLB, Green Bay Packers 1990— Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills 1991— Pat Swilling, OLB, New Orleans Saints 1992— Junior Seau, LB, San Diego Chargers 1993— Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills 1994— Deion Sanders, CB, San Francisco 49ers 1995— Bryce Paup, OLB, Buffalo Bills 1996— Kevin Greene, OLB, Carolina Panthers 1997— Dana Stubblefield, DT, San Francisco 49ers

## United Press International
### NFC winners

| Season | Player | Team | Position |
| 1975 | Jack Youngblood | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive end |
| 1976 | Wally Chambers | Chicago Bears | Defensive tackle |
| 1977 | Harvey Martin | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive tackle |
| 1978 | Randy White | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive tackle |
| 1979 | Lee Roy Selmon | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive end |
| 1980 | Nolan Cromwell | Los Angeles Rams | Safety |
| 1981 | Fred Dean | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive end |
| 1982 | no award | no award | no award |
| 1983 | Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1984 | Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1985 | Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1987 | Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive end |
| 1988 | Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1989 | Keith Millard | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive tackle |
| 1990 | Charles Haley | San Francisco 49ers | Linebacker |
| 1991 | Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive end |
| 1992 | Chris Doleman | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive end |
| 1993 | Eric Allen | Philadelphia Eagles | Cornerback |
| 1994 | Charles Haley | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive end |
| 1995 | Reggie White | Green Bay Packers | Defensive end |
| 1996 | Kevin Greene | Carolina Panthers | Linebacker |

### AFC winners

| Season | Player | Team | Position |
| 1975 | Mel Blount | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cornerback |
| 1976 | Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker |
| 1977 | Lyle Alzado | Denver Broncos | Defensive end |
| 1978 | Randy Gradishar | Denver Broncos | Linebacker |
| 1979 | Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linbebacker |
| 1980 | Lester Hayes | Oakland Raiders | Cornerback |
| 1981 | Joe Klecko | New York Jets | Defensive end |
| 1982 | no award | no award | no award |
| 1983 | Rod Martin | Los Angeles Raiders | Linebacker |
| 1984 | Mark Gastineau | New York Jets | Defensive end |
| 1985 | Andre Tippett | New England Patriots | Linebacker |
| 1986 | Rulon Jones | Denver Broncos | Defensive end |
| 1987 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end |
| 1988 (tie) | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end |
| 1988 (tie) | Cornelius Bennett | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker |
| 1989 | Michael Dean Perry | Cleveland Browns | Nose tackle |
| 1990 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end |
| 1991 | Cornelius Bennett | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker |
| 1992 | Junior Seau | San Diego Chargers | Linebacker |
| 1993 | Rod Woodson | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cornerback |
| 1994 | Greg Lloyd | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker |
| 1995 | Bryce Paup | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker |
| 1996 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end |

## Football Digest

1992 - Junior Seau, MLB, San Diego Chargers 1993 - Deion Sanders, CB, Atlanta Falcons 1994 - Charles Haley, DE, Dallas Cowboys 1995 - Merton Hanks, S, San Francisco 49ers 1996 - Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills 1997 - Dana Stubblefield, DT, San Francisco 49ers 1998 - Junior Seau, MLB, San Diego Chargers 1999 - Warren Sapp, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2000 - Ray Lewis, MLB, Baltimore Ravens 2001 - Brian Urlacher, MLB, Chicago Bears 2002 - Derrick Brooks, OLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2003 - Ray Lewis, ILB, Baltimore Ravens 2004 - Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens

## Sporting News

2008 - Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans 2009 - Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers 2010 - Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Packers 2011 - Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings 2012 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2013 - Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers 2014 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2015 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2016 - Khalil Mack, DE, Oakland Raiders 2017 - Calais Campbell, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars 2018 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams 2019 - Stephon Gilmore, CB, New England Patriots 2020 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams 2021 - T. J. Watt, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 - Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers 2023 - Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns 2024 - Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns

## Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated's Defensive Player of the Year Awards spanned from 2008 to 2014 2008 - DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys 2009 - Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets 2010 - Julius Peppers, DE, Chicago Bears 2011 - Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers 2012 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2013 - Robert Quinn, DE, St. Louis Rams 2014 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans

## Pro Football Focus

Pro Football Focus began giving individual awards in 2011 and have continued since. 2011 - Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers 2012 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2013 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2014 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans 2015 - Aaron Donald, DT, St. Louis Rams 2016 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams 2017 - Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings 2018 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams 2019 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams 2020 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams 2021 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams 2022 - Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs 2023 - Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns

## 101 Awards

Began in 1969, the "101" is 101 of the top NFL sportswriters who have been voting on awards, such as the Defensive Player of each Conference since 1969.